By Bernie Brink

In the 21st century, April has become recognized as Jazz Appreciation Month (initiated by the Smithsonian and the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation in 2001) and host of International Jazz Day (established by UNESCO and its Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue, Herbie Hancock), observed each year on April 30^th.  While these distinctions are obvious cues to celebrate jazz, they also indicate the fundamental global nature and appeal of the music to millions of people across continents, cultures, and generations.

When asked, “what is the birthplace of jazz?,” the typical response is, “New Orleans.”  But this simple answer belies a much richer and more nuanced truth.  Centuries ago, New Orleans was a port city and one of the continent’s major commercial centers.  As such, it was one hub of the transatlantic slave trade, but also engaged in commerce with ports throughout the Caribbean and Central and South America.  As its name implies, New Orleans was first founded as a French city, then came under Spanish rule before entering the Union via the Louisiana Purchase.  Imagine the myriad of eclectic music and practices that were introduced there over the decades: French chanson, classical music, and opera; from Spain, Catholic hymns, jota, and flamenco (itself influenced by Moorish musical traditions across North Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent); Yoruba jùjú from Nigeria; Senegalese Njuup; kaiso and cariso from Caribbean colonies; and a myriad of song and drumming traditions from across West Africa.  New Orleans was merely the crucible for co-mingling and transmuting these influences into something else entirely – international flavor, indeed!

After forging the elements of jazz in the late 19th  and early 20th centuries, jazz music quickly became a U.S. export to the rest of the world.  A continuous lineage of jazz practice extends back to the 1910’s and ‘20s in many countries like Japan, Korea, France, Mexico, and South Africa.  Today, we enjoy a broad spectrum of jazz music from every corner of the globe, from the entrancing and meditative sounds of ECM records (Europe) to the rich tradition of Afro-Cuban rhythms and piano music (think of the Valdes dynasty); from acoustic jazz hinged on pop/electronica influences (Japan) to raging jazz-electronic hybrids (London, UK).  The celebration of International Jazz Day has as much to do with today’s global reach and expression of jazz as it has to do with the music’s diverse origins.

One of many remarkable things about jazz is its embrace of a variety of sounds, ideas, cultures, and people, which is apparent both in the origins of the music and in its contemporary expressions today.  Of course, every month is Jazz Appreciation Month on Jazz 93.5.  This April, we hope you’ll celebrate with us by lending your financial support to the station during our Spring Membership Drive.  Tune in on Tuesday, April 30^th for a special International Jazz Day broadcast event, bringing you incredible music from artists all over the world!